The FBI instituted an undercover operation that was designed to stop United States sex tourists before departing from the United States. The undercover operation consisted of a fake travel agency ("Costa Rica Taboo Vacations") that offered to match travelers with "tourist companions" ages 14 through 27 in Costa Rica. The defendant, a food vendor at carnivals in Florida, communicated with the agency and made arrangements to engage in sexual activities with a female minor upon arrival in Costa Rica. The defendant was arrested after he boarded his flight to Costa Rica. In total, eleven defendants were arrested as a part of the operation.